THE SOUTH ESK 103 



made during recent years. Three elements combined to fatally 

 retard the stock of fish in previous days over-netting, eight dam 

 dykes, and pollution. The proprietors of the district have combined 

 to combat all three, and with considerable success. In 1897 all nets 

 were removed from fresh waters and from the upper part of the 

 tidal estuary of Montrose Basin, and in 1906 the agreement was 

 continued for another term of years. Netting, therefore, now ceases 

 at Eossie, about two miles up from Montrose. This netting which 

 remains is steadily worked all along the southern shore of the 

 estuary, and during about two months in summer some sweep net- 

 ting is also carried on on the north shore. The actual limits of the 

 estuary are a line drawn " from Scurdy Ness to the outermost point 

 of Scurdy Stone; thence a straight line extending due north 500 

 yards ; and on the north a straight line to be drawn from the last- 

 named point to a point at high-water mark, spring tides, 800 yards 

 distant from the low lighthouse, the distance to be measured in a 

 straight line." Fixed net fishing, therefore, ceases at this line. 

 When referring to fixed nets, it may be mentioned as a matter of 

 interest that the one and only stake net, properly so called, which 

 now exists on the coasts of Scotland outside of the Solway, is on the 

 South Esk shore at Bodden, about three miles south of Montrose. 



In former days net and coble fishing in the river was carried on 

 right up to Brechin, to the foot of a weir which there stopped fish, 

 and thus enabled the netsman to feel, I imagine, the satisfaction of 

 the man who has worked out his job to a point of completeness. 

 Brechin Dam was, as it were, the Craigo of the South Esk. Some 

 sixteen nets were fished in the 5 miles of river below Brechin, 

 although I suppose a couple of crews could have secured all the fish 

 had there been no competition. As a matter of fact two crews have, 

 in about four and a half miles of river, got 878 salmon, 488 grilse, and 

 4766 sea trout in a season. It is needless now to give other figures 

 concerning netting which no longer exists, but I may mention that 

 more than once, over 5000 sea trout were taken, which reminds me 

 to state that the South Esk is naturally prominent as a sea-trout 

 river. In all probability the attractions of Montrose Basin is a 

 factor in the abundance of a fish which is much more estuarial in 

 its habits than the salmon. 



Brechin Dam Dyke was opened up to the better ascent of fish in 

 1894, and with the removal of the nets three years later, an impor- 

 tant step in the interests of the river was secured. The pass is of 

 easy gradient round a small island and the end of the weir, at the 



